Support device with pressure adjustment section and method of use

ABSTRACT

A protective and pressure normalizing device including a support member having an exterior wall and an interior wall which define a first chamber, wherein the support member comprises a pressure adjustment section movable between a first position and at least one second position to adjust a pressure of a medium within the first chamber.

[0001] The present invention claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Serial No. 60/305,234, filed Jul. 13, 2001, which ishereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention generally relates to devices and methodsfor stabilizing and supporting a structure, especially a body part of auser. The invention, more specifically, is an inflatable device thatprovides protection for, and relieves pressure on the body part,especially when the body is in a supine or semi-Fowler's position

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Devices for supporting a body extremity have been developed. Forexample, U.S. Pat. No. 5,489,259 to Jacobs et al. (“Jacobs”) relates toa pressure-normalizing single-chambered static pressure device forsupporting and protecting a body extremity, in particular a heel. Thatdevice has an inflatable member with exterior and interior surfaces, aplurality of seams to connect the exterior and interior surfacestogether along a line corresponding to the Achilles' tendon and theankle bones, a plurality of apertures along those seams, and a nozzle.

[0004] In order to inflate the Jacobs' device, an external pump isattached to the nozzle and the device is inflated to a predeterminedpressure by a third party or the patient, then the device is left aloneand is said to conform to the extremity.

[0005] A problem with devices, such as those described in Jacobs, isthat the device may be over-inflated or even under-inflated. Suchresults may become deleterious to the patient. In addition, when thedevices are inflated with air, there is a significant risk ofcross-contamination caused by different individuals orally adjusting thepressure of the medium through the nozzle. Moreover, an external device,such as a pump, is required to adjust the pressure of the medium withinthe device even after the device is initially inflated to a desiredlevel, to make modifications for climatic conditions, changes inelevation, or leakage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The present invention relates to a protective and pressurenormalizing device. The device includes a support member having anexterior wall and an interior wall which define a first chamber. Thesupport member includes a pressure adjustment section movable between afirst position and at least one second position to adjust a pressure ofa medium within the first chamber.

[0007] The present invention also relates to a protective and pressurenormalizing device for a body extremity. The device includes a supportmember having an exterior wall and an interior wall which define a firstchamber and a joint aperture. The support member comprises a pressureadjustment section movable between a first position and at least onesecond position to adjust a pressure of a medium within the firstchamber and the support member and pressure adjustment section are incommunication for the transfer of the medium therebetween.

[0008] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method forprotecting and normalizing the pressure on a structure. The methodinvolves providing a support member including an exterior wall and aninterior wall which define a first chamber and a pressure adjustmentsection movable between a first position and at least one secondposition to adjust a pressure of a medium within the first chamber. Astructure in positioned in the support member.

[0009] In the device and method of the present invention, the pressureof the medium within the device is adjusted through repositioning of apressure adjustment section. By adjusting the pressure of the mediumthrough repositioning of the pressure adjustment section, the need forexternal devices, such as pumps, to adjust the pressure of the medium iseliminated. In addition, when the medium is air, the risk ofcross-contamination caused by orally adjusting the pressure of themedium is eliminated in the present invention. Thus, the device can beshipped sealed and pre-inflated to a low pressure and the pressureeasily adjusted on-site by the user.

[0010] The device of the present invention is adaptable to fit differentsized body parts and can be worn on either a left or right extremity ofthe user. In addition, the device of the present invention minimizespressure contact between the body part and any surface on which it isplaced, for example, a hospital bed, thereby, decreasing the risk of theformation of decubitus ulcers on the body part as a result of suchcontact. Moreover, the device of the present invention limits contactbetween the body part of a user, especially the toe area of the foot,and objects in the user's surroundings such as sheets, blankets, etc.

[0011] In a specific embodiment, the device of the present invention isan inflatable device that provides protection for, and relieves pressureon the heel area of the foot, when the body is in a supine orsemi-Fowler's position. When used to stabilize a foot, the device andmethod of the present invention can be used in order to preventshortening of the Achilles tendon, i.e., “foot drop.” Further, when usedfor the foot, the device separates the ankles, preventing them fromcrossing and thereby reducing additional pressure when the hips arerotated. In addition, the device allows for air circulation and providesprotection for the sides and bottom of the foot or any other body partpositioned in the device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the deviceof the present invention with a pressure adjustment section attached toa first end of the device;

[0013]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the device of FIG. 1 wherein thepressure adjustment section is repositioned into a second position;

[0014]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of thedevice of FIG. 1;

[0015]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the device of FIG. 3 wherein thepressure adjustment section is repositioned into a second position;

[0016]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the device of FIG. 1 showing edges58 and 60 which are joined to form the device of FIG. 1;

[0017]FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 5 taken along the lines6-6;

[0018]FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 5 taken along the lines7-7;

[0019]FIG. 8 is an another embodiment of FIG. 7;

[0020]FIG. 9 is an another embodiment of FIG. 7;

[0021]FIG. 10 is an another embodiment of FIG. 7;

[0022]FIG. 11 is a side perspective view of an alternative embodiment ofthe device of FIG. 1 including a nozzle;

[0023]FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the deviceof the present invention; and

[0024]FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the deviceof the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] The present invention relates to a device 10 including a supportmember 12 which includes a pressure adjustment section 14, where supportmember 12 and pressure adjustment section 14 form a single chamber. Thepressure adjustment section 14 can be attached at any position on thesupport member 12 and can be provided, for example, as a tag or cuff.The support member 12 can be used to stabilize a body part (e.g., a bodyextremity) or any other structure. In addition, the device of thepresent invention minimizes pressure contact between the body part andany surface on which it is placed as well as other objects in the user'ssurrounding, thereby decreasing the risk of the formation of decubitusulcers on the body part as a result of such contact.

[0026] FIGS. 1-4 show perspective views of a device 10 according to thepresent invention. Device 10 includes a support member 12 which has anexterior wall 16 and an interior wall 18 which define a chamber 20,shown in FIGS. 6-10. The support member 12 also includes a plurality ofnon-support regions 22, one or more securing devices 24, and an aperturefor a joint of a user 26. In addition, the support member 12 includes apressure adjustment section 14.

[0027] Referring to FIGS. 1-5, in this embodiment, the pressureadjustment section 14 extends from a first end 28 adjacent to the topedge of the support member 12 and is movable toward the joint aperture26 of the support member 12 (i.e., from a first position to at least onesecond position). Also, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3-4, the pressureadjustment section 14 is movable so that it extends adjacent (i.e.,beneath) the joint aperture 26 of the support member 12. When thepressure adjustment section 14 is positioned so that it extends beneaththe joint aperture 26, it provides additional support for the joint,such as the heel. As shown in FIG. 2, the pressure adjustment section 14is movable so that it folds upon itself. However, the pressureadjustment section 14 may be any suitable size or shape, for example, atag or cuff, such that the pressure of the medium within the chamber 20can be adjusted when the device is placed on a user by repositioning thepressure adjustment section 14 to any desired position. In particular,when the pressure adjustment section is repositioned to a secondposition, the volume available for the medium to occupy in the device 10is decreased, thereby adjusting the pressure of the medium within thechamber 20.

[0028] In this particular embodiment, the pressure adjustment section 14includes an attachment device 32 for attaching at least a first portionof the pressure adjustment section 14 to at least a portion of thesupport member 12, or at least a second portion of the pressureadjustment section. In this particular embodiment, the attachment deviceis hoop and loop type fasteners. However, other suitable attachmentdevices include, but are not limited to, adhesives, buttons, andbuckles. The attachment device 32 secures the pressure adjustmentsection 14 when repositioned.

[0029] As shown in FIGS. 1-6, the pressure adjustment section 14 forms apart of a single chamber 20 with the support member 12. However, thepressure adjustment section 14 may be a separate chamber which isinterconnected with chamber 20 through at least one medium transferchannel 33, as shown in FIGS. 12-13.

[0030] The support member 12 with non-support regions 22 and pressureadjustment section 14 has an exterior wall 16 and an interior wall 18.The exterior and interior walls 16, 18 can be constructed of the same ordifferent materials.

[0031] The interior wall 18 is constructed of a lightweight cotton,gauze, paper, or synthetic material which may be woven or non-woven, orany other material that is breathable and suitable for use in ahospital, alternative care, or home care environment, when the device isused to support a body part. The interior wall 18 is strong enough tosecure a body part of a user and capable of being comfortably placed incontact with the body part of a user. In use, at least a portion of theinterior wall 18 of the support member 12 contacts at least a portionthe body part of the user.

[0032] The exterior wall 16 can be constructed of any type of materialso long as it meets some minimal characteristics. These minimalcharacteristics, which apply to both materials 16 and 18, when thedevice is used to support a body part, include not applying excessiveshear force to a user's tissue, providing adequate wickingcharacteristics so that moisture is drawn away from the skin of the bodypart to keep the body part at a normal temperature, and providingsufficient flexibility and pliability to conform readily to the shape ofthe user's body part. The exterior wall 16 and interior wall 18 may beconstructed to be disposable or reusable.

[0033] In an alternative embodiment, the exterior wall 16 may include anexterior reinforcing material layer and the interior wall 18 may includean interior wicking material layer to cool and wick moisture. Theexterior reinforcing material layer and interior wicking material layermay be made of the same or different materials than the exterior wall 16and interior wall 18. In this embodiment, at least a portion of theinterior wicking material layer contacts at least a portion of the bodypart of the user.

[0034] Referring to FIGS. 1-4, the device 10 is divided into at leastthree distinct components 36, 38, and 40, that correspond to a bodyextremity having a joint (elbow, knee, or heel/ankle) of a user.However, the device 10 may be divided into any number of components. Thebody extremity is divided into a posterior, anterior, and the two othersides.

[0035] As shown in FIGS. 1-4, the components are a lower portion 36, anintermediate portion 38, and an upper portion 40. The interior wall 18of the lower portion 36 contacts at least parts of the anterior andother sides of the foot (i.e., a lower region of the body extremity).The interior wall 18 of the intermediate portion 38 contacts at least aportion of the other sides of the body extremity that corresponds to theheel, which is on the posterior side of the body extremity (i.e., anintermediate region of the body extremity) and includes the jointaperture 26. The interior wall 18 of the upper portion 40 contacts atleast a portion of the posterior and other sides of the calf of the bodyextremity (i.e., an upper portion of the body extremity). Although thedevice 10 shown in FIGS. 1-4 relates to the ankle, heel, and foot of auser, the device may be used with other body parts, e.g., a knee or anelbow, and the interior wall 18 would contact surfaces of the body partother than that described above.

[0036] The joint aperture 26 exposes the joint of the body part. In thisexample, the joint is the heel; however, the joint could be any suitablejoint, such as the elbow or knee. Although this particular embodimentincludes a joint aperture 26, the device could be provided without ajoint aperture.

[0037] To relieve pressure on the body part, the support member 12 has aplurality of non-support regions 22 interspaced throughout it. In oneembodiment, shown in FIG. 5, there is a first set of non-support regions22′ positioned along a line corresponding to an Achilles' tendon of thecalf. A second set of the nonsupport regions 22″ are positioned along aline corresponding to the ankle bone of the body extremity. Each of thenon-support regions 22′, 22″ is interspaced from the others, as shown inFIG. 5, and highlighted in FIG. 7—a cross-section of FIG. 5 taken alongthe lines 7-7.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 7, the non-support region 22 is formed bybonding predetermined portions of the interior wall 18 to the exteriorwall 16 at predetermined point 42. In some embodiments, thepredetermined point 42 is a pre-selected area of the non-support region22 wherein the remainder of the nonsupport region 22 is flat, as shownin FIG. 7, or the predetermined point 42 is the entire non-supportregion 22 as shown in FIG. 8 (an alternative embodiment of FIG. 7), orthe predetermined point 42 is a pre-selected area of the non-supportregion 22 wherein the remainder of the region 22 is filled with a fluidor a predetermined piece of material 44, as shown in FIG. 9 (analternative embodiment of FIG. 7), or the predetermined point 42 is apre-selected area of the non-support region 22 wherein within apredetermined portion of the remainder of the region 22 is an aperture46, as shown in FIG. 10 (an alternative embodiment of FIG. 7). Thepredetermined point 42 can be made by a heat-seal, ultrasonic sound, orother conventional means.

[0039] Referring to FIGS. 6-10, the exterior wall 16 and interior wall18 of the support member 12 form a chamber 20 which includes a mediumhaving an initial predetermined pressure. For example, the chamber 20 ofthe support member 12 including the pressure adjustment section 14 isfilled with a medium to a pressure of about 0-50 mmHg. In oneembodiment, the chamber 20 of the support member is filled with a mediumto a pressure of about 0-15 mmHg. Such pressures minimize stretch of theinterior and exterior walls 16, 18 of the support member 12 due, forexample, to elevation or temperature changes. However, any desiredpressure can be used. In addition, any suitable medium can be used. Themedium is typically a fluid, such as gases (e.g., air) or liquids (e.g.,water), suspensions, gelastic materials, as sold by EdiZone, Inc. ofUtah, or any other material that reduces pressure on the body part.

[0040] In this embodiment, the chamber 20 is pre-filled with medium at apre-determined pressure with no means to inflate or deflate the device10 without destroying it. The pressure of the medium is then adjusted byrepositioning the pressure adjustment section 14. By adjusting thepressure of the medium through repositioning of the pressure adjustmentsection 14, the need for external devices, such as pumps, to adjust thepressure of the medium is eliminated. In addition, when the medium isair, the risk of cross-contamination caused by orally adjusting thepressure of the medium is eliminated in the present invention. Thus, thedevice can be shipped sealed and pre-inflated to a low pressure and thepressure easily adjusted on-site by the user.

[0041]FIG. 11 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the device ofFIG. 1 without any non-support regions 22 and with a nozzle 34. In thisembodiment, the device may be filled or adjusted by the user throughnozzle 34 to an initial predetermined pressure. The nozzle 34 may have aconventional check valve 35 within the nozzle. The pressure of themedium is then adjusted by repositioning the pressure adjustment section14, as described above.

[0042] Referring to FIGS. 1-5 and 11, the present invention includes aplurality of securing devices 24. Each securing device 24 may be asupport surface or a non-support surface. In either embodiment, eachsecuring device 24 secures first and second edges 48, 50 of supportmember 12 to within a desired distance of each other and prevents device10 from disengaging with the body part. Each securing device 24 isdivided into two units, a receiver 52 and an extender 54. In theembodiment shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 5, and 11, the extender 54 protrudesfrom edge 48. Receiver 52 receives the extender 54 and secures theextender 54 into a desired position. In the present embodiments, thereceiver 52 is a loop device, and the extender 54 has a hook device thatconnects with the loop device, although any type of securing device maybe used. The receiver 52 can be a single unit, as illustrated in FIGS.1, 2, and 5, or separate units for each extender 54, as illustrated inFIGS. 3 and 11. In addition, the device may include one or a pluralityof securing devices 24. To attain maximum engagement between the edges48 and 50, each securing device 24 in each embodiment has a particularposition such that receiver 52 receives securing device 24 at a 90°angle.

[0043] Referring back to FIGS. 1-5 and 11, an alternative securingdevice 24 a is positioned on the lower portion 36 of the device 10. Thisalternative securing device 32 a further secures the device 10 to thebody part and includes a receiver 52 a and an extender 54 a. However,the device 10 can be provided without the securing device 32 a.

[0044] In yet another embodiment, one or more securing devices 24 b canbe positioned, if desired, on the pressure adjustment section 14, asshown in FIGS. 3-4. The one or more securing devices 24 b secure thedevice 10 to the body part and include a receiver 52 b and an extender54 b.

[0045] The device 10 illustrated in FIG. 5 is in a pre-assembledposition. The device 10 is put together by joining the exterior wall 16to the interior wall 18 at an edge 56. Once the edge 56 is sealed,normally by heat sealing, the two particular edges, 58 and 60, arefurther joined together to form the device 10.

[0046] A second embodiment of the device 10 is shown in FIG. 12. Thedevice 10 shown in FIG. 12 is identical to the previous embodiments,except as described below. In this embodiment, the support member 12includes pressure adjustment section 14′. In this particular embodiment,the pressure adjustment section 14′ extends from first edge 48 along theupper portion 40 of the support member 12 and is foldable around theupper region of the body part, such as the lower leg, of the user.

[0047] A third embodiment of the device 10 is shown in FIG. 13. Thedevice 10 shown in FIG. 13 is identical to the previous embodiments,except as described below.

[0048] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 13, the support member 12includes pressure adjustment section 14′ and pressure adjustment section14″. In this particular embodiment, the pressure adjustment section 14″extends from first edge 48 along the lower portion 36 of the supportmember 12 and is foldable around the lower region of the body part, suchas the foot, of the user. However, the support member 12 may include anyone or all pressure adjustment sections 14, 14′ and 14″. As shown inFIGS. 12-13, these embodiments of the present invention include aplurality of securing devices 24 which include an extender 54 whichprotrudes from edge 50.

[0049] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, thedevice 10 is pre-filled with a medium. By pre-filling the device 10, theuser is less likely to cause damage to its body part. Many individualsignore the fact that when the temperature and/or air pressure of theenvironment is altered the pressure within the device 10 is alsoaltered. Therefore, by pre-filling the device 10, the user is unable toover inflate or under inflate the device 10.

[0050] The device 10 of the present invention can be used to stabilize abody part (e.g., a body extremity) or any other structure. For example,the device 10 can be used for stabilizing an ankle while relievingpressure on the heel of the foot, a knee while relieving pressure on theknee of the leg, or an elbow while relieving pressure on the elbow ofthe arm. The knee, ankle/heel, and elbow are collectively referred to asa flexible joint or a bendable joint. When used to stabilize a foot, thedevice and method of the present invention can be used in order toprevent shortening of the Achilles tendon, i.e., “foot drop.”

[0051] In use, the user positions a body part, such as a leg, foot, orarm, in the support member 12. If present, the securing devices 24, 24a, and 24 b are used to secure the support member to the body part. Thesupport member 12 is provided pre-filled with medium or the userfills/adjusts the chamber 20 of the support member to a predeterminedinitial pressure. The pressure adjustment section 14 is then foldedtoward at least a portion of the support member 12 or on itself toprovide pressure adjustment. In particular, when the pressure adjustmentsection 14 is folded, the medium within the chamber is displaced,thereby adjusting the pressure of the medium. If desired, the pressureadjustment section may be folded over so that it extends beneath thejoint aperture of the device 10, thereby providing additional supportfor the joint.

[0052] Although preferred embodiments have been depicted and describedin detail herein, it will be apparent to those skilled in the relevantart that various modifications, additions, substitutions, and the likecan be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and theseare therefore considered to be within the scope of the invention asdefined in the claims which follow. Further, the recited order ofprocessing elements or sequences, or the use of numbers, letters, orother designations therefor, is not intended to limit the claimedprocess to any order except as may be specified in the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A protective and pressure normalizing devicecomprising a support member having an exterior wall and an interior wallwhich define a first chamber, wherein the support member comprises apressure adjustment section movable between a first position and atleast one second position to adjust a pressure of a medium within thefirst chamber.
 2. The device according to claim 1 wherein the pressureadjustment section extends from a first end of the support member. 3.The device according to claim 1 wherein the pressure adjustment sectionextends from a side edge of the support member
 4. The device accordingto claim 1 wherein the second position is adjacent at least a portion ofthe support member.
 5. The device according to claim 1 wherein thesecond position is adjacent at least a portion of the pressureadjustment section.
 6. The device according to claim 1 furthercomprising a joint aperture in the support member.
 7. The deviceaccording to claim 6 wherein the pressure adjustment section extendsfrom a first end of the support member and is movable toward the jointaperture of the support member.
 8. The device according to claim 7wherein the pressure adjustment section is movable to extend adjacentthe joint aperture of the support member.
 9. The device according toclaim 1 wherein the pressure adjustment section further comprises anattachment device for attaching at least a first portion the pressureadjustment section to at least a portion of the support member or atleast a second portion of the pressure adjustment section.
 10. Thedevice according to claim 1 further comprising a wicking material layeradjacent the interior wall.
 11. The device according to claim 1 furthercomprising a reinforcing material layer adjacent the exterior wall. 12.The device according to claim 1 wherein the chamber is filled with themedium to an internal pressure of about 0 mmHg to about 15 mmHg.
 13. Thedevice according to claim 1 wherein the medium is air.
 14. The deviceaccording to claim 1 wherein the support member and pressure adjustmentsection comprise a single chamber.
 15. The device according to claim 1wherein the pressure adjustment section defines a second chamber whichis interconnected with the first chamber through at least one mediumtransfer channel.
 16. The device according to claim 1 further comprisinga plurality of interspaced non-support regions in the support member.17. The device according to claim 1 wherein the support membercomprises: a lower portion, wherein at least a portion of the interiorwall of the lower portion contacts at least a portion of a lower regionof a body part; an intermediate portion, wherein at least a portion ofthe interior wall of the intermediate portion contacts at least aportion of an intermediate region of the body part; and an upperportion, wherein at least a portion of the interior wall of the upperportion contacts at least a portion of an upper region of the body part.18. The device according to claim 1 further comprising one or moresecuring devices, wherein the one or more securing devices attach atleast a portion of a first edge of the support member to at least aportion of a second edge of the support member.
 19. A protective andpressure normalizing device for a body extremity comprising a supportmember having an exterior wall and an interior wall which define a firstchamber and a joint aperture, wherein the support member furthercomprises a pressure adjustment section movable between a first positionand at least one second position to adjust a pressure of a medium withinthe first chamber and wherein the support member and pressure adjustmentsection are in communication for the transfer of the mediumtherebetween.
 20. The device according to claim 19 wherein the pressureadjustment section extends from a first end of the support member. 21.The device according to claim 19 wherein the pressure adjustment sectionextends from a side edge of the support member
 22. The device accordingto claim 19 wherein the second position is adjacent at least a portionof the support member.
 23. The device according to claim 19 wherein thesecond position is adjacent at least a portion of the pressureadjustment section.
 24. The device according to claim 19 wherein thepressure adjustment section extends from a first end of the supportmember and is movable toward the joint aperture of the support member.25. The device according to claim 24 wherein the pressure adjustmentsection is movable to extend adjacent the joint aperture of the supportmember.
 26. The device according to claim 19 wherein the pressureadjustment section further comprises an attachment device for attachingat least a first portion of the pressure adjustment section to at leasta portion of the support member or a least a second portion of thepressure adjustment section.
 27. The device according to claim 19further comprising a wicking material layer adjacent the interior wall.28. The device according to claim 19 further comprising a reinforcingmaterial layer adjacent the exterior wall.
 29. The device according toclaim 19 wherein the chamber is filled with the medium to an internalpressure of about 0 mmHg to about 15 mmHg.
 30. The device according toclaim 19 wherein the medium is air.
 31. The device according to claim 19further comprising a plurality of interspaced non-support regions in thesupport member.
 32. The device according to claim 19 wherein the supportmember comprises: a lower portion, wherein at least a portion of theinterior wall of the lower portion contacts at least a portion of alower region of the body extremity; an intermediate portion, wherein atleast a portion of the interior wall of the intermediate portioncontacts at least a portion of an intermediate region of the bodyextremity and wherein the intermediate portion includes the jointaperture; and an upper portion, wherein at least a portion of theinterior wall of the upper portion contacts at least a portion of anupper region of the body extremity.
 33. The device according to claim 19further comprising one or more securing devices, wherein the one or moresecuring devices attach at least a portion of a first edge of thesupport member to at least a portion of a second edge of the supportmember.
 34. A method for protecting and normalizing the pressure on astructure comprising: providing a support member comprising an exteriorwall and an interior wall which define a first chamber and a pressureadjustment section movable between a first position and at least onesecond position to adjust a pressure of a medium within the firstchamber, and positioning the structure in the support member.
 35. Themethod according to claim 34 further comprising: filling the firstchamber with the medium to an initial predetermined pressure of about 0mmHg to about 15 mmHg.
 36. The method according to claim 34 furthercomprising: adjusting the pressure of the medium using the pressureadjustment section.
 37. The method according to claim 36 wherein theadjusting comprises repositioning the pressure adjustment section toadjust the pressure of the medium.
 38. The method according to claim 34wherein the pressure adjustment section extends from a first end of thesupport member.
 39. The method according to claim 34 wherein thepressure adjustment section extends from a side edge of the supportmember.
 40. The method according to claim 34 wherein the second positionis adjacent at least a portion of the support member.
 41. The methodaccording to claim 34 wherein the second position is adjacent at least aportion of the pressure adjustment section.
 42. The method according toclaim 34 wherein the support member further comprises a joint aperture,wherein a joint is placed into the joint aperture.
 43. The methodaccording to claim 42 wherein the pressure adjustment section extendsfrom a first end of the support member and is movable toward the jointaperture of the support member.
 44. The method according to claim 43wherein the pressure adjustment section is movable to extend adjacentthe joint aperture of the support member.
 45. The method according toclaim 34 further comprising attaching at least a first portion of thepressure adjustment section to at least a portion of the support memberor at least a second portion of the pressure adjustment section using anattachment device.
 46. The method according to claim 34 wherein themedium is air.
 47. The method according to claim 34 wherein the supportmember further comprises a wicking material layer adjacent the interiorwall.
 48. The method according to claim 34 wherein the support memberfurther comprises a reinforcing material layer adjacent the exteriorwall.
 49. The method according to claim 34 wherein the support memberand pressure adjustment section comprise a single chamber.
 50. Themethod according to claim 34 wherein the pressure adjustment sectiondefines a second chamber which is interconnected with the first chamberthrough at least one medium transfer channel.
 51. The method accordingto claim 34 wherein the support member further comprises a plurality ofinterspaced non-support regions in the support member.
 52. The methodaccording to claim 34 wherein the support member comprises: a lowerportion, wherein at least a portion of the interior wall of the lowerportion contacts at least a portion of a lower region of a body part; anintermediate portion, wherein at least a portion of the interior wall ofthe intermediate portion contacts at least a portion of an intermediateregion of the body part; and an upper portion, wherein at least aportion of the interior wall of the upper portion contacts at least aportion of an upper region of the body part.
 53. The method according toclaim 34 further comprising attaching at least a portion of a first edgeof the support member to at least a portion of a second edge of thesupport member with one or more securing devices.